Who knows what the 49ers will get out of wide receiver Brandon Lloyd

So what will Brandon Lloyd bring with his second stint in San Francisco? Lloyd has the potential to be a productive contributor, even a lethal option in a three-receiver set. He also might not make the team.

Brandon Lloyd is back (Getty Images)

Lloyd was out of football last year to reportedly devote more time to his film and rap careers. Before he left, Lloyd caught 74 of Tom Brady’s passes in New England. The 49ers would like to see Lloyd turn back to his 2010 season in Denver when he caught 77 passes for 1,448 yards, 11 touchdowns while maintaining a 18.8 yards average per catch.

The 49ers are looking for chunk yards and big plays from their wide receivers and Lloyd even at 33, might be able to provide it. Never fast, Lloyd nevertheless possesses tremendous hands and the ability for deep-ball acrobatics.

Now the downside. After the 49ers took him in the 4th round of the 2003 draft, Lloyd thrilled everyone with his Plastic Man catches in practice and the preseason. However, he never fit in the locker room, which was dominated by leaders like defensive tackle Bryant Young. Several players on the team were deeply religious, including Young, and they didn’t appreciate a loud, brash youngster rapping swear words at the top of his lungs.

Lloyd was also a disinterested blocker and appeared to avoid contact of any kind at all costs.

When then-personnel chief Scot McCloughan swapped Lloyd to Washington for a third-round pick in 2006 and a fourth-rounder in 2007, the deal was hailed as a steal for the 49ers. Lloyd went on to have possibly the worst season for a starting receiver ever, catching only 23 passes in 15 games. Lloyd’s dreadful season was later rivaled by current 49ers receiver Jon Baldwin, who appeared in 15 games for the Chiefs in 2012, and caught 20 passes.

Meanwhile, the 49ers used the picks from the Lloyd trade to draft Wisconsin receiver Brandon Williams (third rounder) and eventually, 4th round defensive back Reggie Smith. Williams flamed out quickly, partially because he was distracted by his own rap career. Smith lasted for a few seasons as mainly a special teams player.

So now Lloyd is back and as an actor, he has the capacity to write in his future role with his old team.